PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA Play of the Day >> Off Winning Saturday!
(NBA) Oklahoma City vs. Dallas,
Total: 205.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 205.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Win
The set-up: The 35-27 OKC Thunder continue to get great performances out of Russell Westbrook but they will take a six-game road losing streak into tonight's game in Dallas. Meanwhile, the Mavs have won three of four after a 104-100 victory over Memphis at home Friday night, leaving them at 25-36, which is 2 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City: Westbrook became the ninth player in NBA history to record four straight 40-point games Friday, when he scored 48 points against the Suns. However, the Thunder lost 118-111 at Phoenix. "We just put ourselves in a hole, man, not getting stops when we needed to, and obviously not finishing the game like we wanted to,"said Westbrook. It's become a common theme. Westbrook (31.7-10.7-10.1) may join the Big O as the only players to average a triple-double for an entire season (Robertson did so in the 1961-62 season) but to what end? In the game prior to the loss at Phoenix, the Thunder fell in Portland 114-109, as Westbrook had 45 points but the team's other four starters combined for a total of 12 points! Just how will OKC be able to compete in the postseason?
Dallas: Newly-acquired big man Nerlens Noel received his first start with the Mavericks and responded with 15 points and a career high-tying 17 rebounds. Won't the Sixers be sorry if Noel plays like that the rest of the way, especially with Embiid out for the rest of the year? The Mavs are 3-1 since Noel suited up. "He is a lot further along than he was four days ago, and even two nights ago," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "He had some things that he just wasn't understanding. ... He is getting there." Barnes (20.1 & 5.1) has turned out to be an excellent FA signing, Dirk (13.5 & 6.5) has been healthy lately plus says he wants to play again next season, plus Seth Curry (12.7) and Yogi Farrell (12.5 & 5.1 APG) are making impacts in the backcourt. For one, Curry is averaging 23.6 points while shooting 54.5 percent from three-point range over the last five games!
The pick: As noted, the Thunder have lost six straight on the road and the "Russell Westbrook Show" continues tonight in Dallas. The Mavs seem rejuvenated and are playing hard. I expect they'll be at their best here vs Westbrook and Dallas is allowing just 99.8 PPG, to rank 3rd in the league. However, the team's offense produces only 97.8 PPG, which ranks dead-last (30th). The Under is a 10* play.
Oklahoma City: Westbrook became the ninth player in NBA history to record four straight 40-point games Friday, when he scored 48 points against the Suns. However, the Thunder lost 118-111 at Phoenix. "We just put ourselves in a hole, man, not getting stops when we needed to, and obviously not finishing the game like we wanted to,"said Westbrook. It's become a common theme. Westbrook (31.7-10.7-10.1) may join the Big O as the only players to average a triple-double for an entire season (Robertson did so in the 1961-62 season) but to what end? In the game prior to the loss at Phoenix, the Thunder fell in Portland 114-109, as Westbrook had 45 points but the team's other four starters combined for a total of 12 points! Just how will OKC be able to compete in the postseason?
Dallas: Newly-acquired big man Nerlens Noel received his first start with the Mavericks and responded with 15 points and a career high-tying 17 rebounds. Won't the Sixers be sorry if Noel plays like that the rest of the way, especially with Embiid out for the rest of the year? The Mavs are 3-1 since Noel suited up. "He is a lot further along than he was four days ago, and even two nights ago," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "He had some things that he just wasn't understanding. ... He is getting there." Barnes (20.1 & 5.1) has turned out to be an excellent FA signing, Dirk (13.5 & 6.5) has been healthy lately plus says he wants to play again next season, plus Seth Curry (12.7) and Yogi Farrell (12.5 & 5.1 APG) are making impacts in the backcourt. For one, Curry is averaging 23.6 points while shooting 54.5 percent from three-point range over the last five games!
The pick: As noted, the Thunder have lost six straight on the road and the "Russell Westbrook Show" continues tonight in Dallas. The Mavs seem rejuvenated and are playing hard. I expect they'll be at their best here vs Westbrook and Dallas is allowing just 99.8 PPG, to rank 3rd in the league. However, the team's offense produces only 97.8 PPG, which ranks dead-last (30th). The Under is a 10* play.
